Cat owners reminded to license their cats by 31 August 2026 as transition period for pet cat licensing comes to an end

 -       About 66,000 pet cats licensed since the start of the pet cat licensing scheme in September 2024

-       Owners can continue to keep all licensed pet cats, if they are licensed before the end of the transition period (31 August 2026)

-       Pilot scheme for cat fosterers to begin on 3 August 2026, enabling responsible fosterers to care for up to six cats in HDB flats and 10 cats in private premises

Singapore, 18 July 2026 – The Animal & Veterinary Service (AVS), a cluster of the National Parks Board (NParks), rolled out the pet cat licensing scheme and programmes for pet and community cats under the Cat Management Framework on 1 September 2024. The two-year transition period for pet cat licensing, which was introduced to allow cat owners to ease into the new licensing requirements and cat-keeping rules, will conclude on 31 August 2026.

2             Since the start of the licensing scheme, about 66,000 pet cats have been licensed. Out of these, about 94% of these cats are sterilised. Additionally, over 64,000 people have completed the online pet ownership course, which is mandatory for first time cat or dog licence applicants.

3             AVS will be rolling out a two-year pilot scheme to recognise the important role of responsible cat fosterers. Starting 3 August 2026, approved cat fosterers will be allowed to care for up to six cats in HDB flats and up to 10 cats in private premises. This pilot scheme for cat fosterers will serve as an acknowledgement of the key role that cat fosterers play in the management of community cats.

Update on the Progress of the Cat Management Framework

Over 120 free microchipping drives held for pet owners during transition period

4             Under the Cat Management Framework, it is mandatory for all pet cats to be microchipped and licensed, to enhance traceability. Microchipping provides each cat with a unique identification number, which is tied to its owner and address when licensed. This strengthens AVS’ response to potential disease outbreaks, enhances owners’ accountability for the health and welfare of their pet cats, and allows the identification and reuniting of lost cats.

5          To support cat owners with the licensing requirements, AVS held free microchipping and licensing drives across the island during the transition period. Since September 2024, about 11,500 pet cats have been microchipped at over 120 free drives and sessions across more than 30 locations. These include microchipping and licensing drives organised by AVS that microchipped about 10,000 pet cats, as well as microchipping sessions held in collaboration with veterinary clinics[1] that microchipped about 1,500 pet cats.

Mandatory for cat owners to license cats by 31 August 2026

6          Pet cat owners are reminded to microchip and license their cats by 31 August 2026. From 1 September 2026, it will be an offence under the Animals and Birds Act to keep unlicensed pet cats. AVS will investigate feedback received and take enforcement action against owners who have not complied.

7          As part of the licensing conditions, licensed pet cat owners will need to ensure that their cats are kept in a safe environment and take reasonable steps to protect their cats from hazards, such as installing mesh or grilles to prevent the cats from roaming freely or falling from height. When in public, cat owners will need to ensure that their cats are kept under physical control (i.e., not allowed to freely roam), such as by placing their cat in a carrier or using a harness.

8          Owners who fail to adhere to the cat-keeping rules and licence conditions shall be liable on conviction to a fine of up to $5,000 from 1 September 2026.

9          Owners are reminded that if their existing pet cats which they owned before 1 September 2024 exceed the limits permitted for HDB flats or private premises, they may continue to keep all of them as a transition arrangement for the existing pet cats[2], if their cats are licensed during the transition period. For example, a household with five existing pet cats that have been licensed within the transition period will be allowed to keep all of them beyond 1 September 2026. More information on the framework can be found at https://go.gov.sg/cat-framework.

10        Pet owners are reminded that pet ownership is for life, and abandonment of pets is an offence. Individuals who are found guilty of failure in duty of care to their pets (including pet abandonment) can be charged under the Animals and Birds Act. First-time offenders who fail in the duty of care to their pets may face a fine of up to $10,000, a jail term of up to 12 months, or both. 

Pet Cat Sterilisation Support (PCSS) programme

11           The PCSS programme was launched on 1 September 2024 to support lower-income households by providing free sterilisation and microchipping for their pet cats. The programme provides early intervention to stem the unintended breeding of pet cats from households that may not be able to afford sterilisation. Since its launch, AVS has received over 3,900 applications. To date, more than 5,200 pet cats belonging to over 2,500 households have been sterilised and microchipped under the PCSS programme.

12           Sterilisation offers health and behavioural benefits such as reducing the risks of certain cancers and preventing womb infections, as well as reducing the desire of cats to roam, caterwaul, and urine mark. Sterilisation also helps address downstream animal welfare issues and disamenities arising from the overpopulation of pet cats. Pet cat owners can find more information on the eligibility criteria for PCSS and register at https://go.gov.sg/avs-pcss. Corporations and individuals can support PCSS through the Garden City Fund, NParks’ registered charity and Institution of Public Character, at https://go.gov.sg/donate-pcss. AVS’ PCSS partner is the Cat Welfare Society, and contributing veterinary clinics are James Tan Veterinary Centre, Canopy Veterinary Centre, and Vet Central.

Trap-Neuter-Rehome/Release-Manage (TNRM) programme

13           TNRM is a holistic and science-based approach to community cat management. AVS launched the TNRM programme for community cats on 1 September 2024 under the Cat Management Framework, and works with TNRM programme partners, veterinarians, and community cat caregivers to manage the community cat population nation-wide. To date, over 4,600 community cats have undergone the TNRM programme. Members of the public can adopt cats under the TNRM programme through TNRM programme partners. More information can be found at https://go.gov.sg/cat-tnrm.  

14           The TNRM programme partners comprise the Cat Welfare Society, which is AVS’ lead partner, Causes for Animals (Singapore), LUNI Singapore, Noah’s Ark CARES, Purely Adopts, and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). Veterinary clinics that contribute to the programme include Animal World Veterinary Clinic, Furiends Veterinary Clinic, and James Tan Veterinary Centre. 

Recognising cat fosterers

15        AVS recognises that fosterers[3] play an important role in cat management, by providing safe homes for cats in need, including those that are sick, injured, require palliative care, or pending adoption. Fosterers help reduce the number of free-roaming cats in the community and the potential disamenities that they could cause. In recognition of this important role, AVS has gathered inputs since 2023 on how to better support fosterers under the Cat Management Framework. These included responses to public surveys (respondents included fosterers, residents, cat owners, and non-cat owners to ensure that diverse perspectives were taken into account), and discussions with TNRM partners. AVS also conducted a survey of fosterers from December 2025 to January 2026 to better understand the landscape of cat fosterers in Singapore and the challenges they faced.

Start of two-year pilot scheme for cat fosterers on 3 August 2026

16        After consulting various stakeholders and considering the perspectives of different segments of the population, AVS, with inputs from HDB for cat owning households residing in public housing, will be rolling out a two-year pilot scheme. Under the pilot, approved fosterers will be allowed to license and keep up to six cats in 3-room or larger HDB sold flats[4] and up to 10 cats in private premises. These limits include all pet and foster cats in each household[5]. Approved cat fosterers must sterilise all cats in their household[6]. This prevents unintended breeding, which can lead to overpopulation and compromise the welfare of the cats in their care.

17        In support of fosterers’ efforts in cat management, AVS will waive licensing fees for cats fostered by approved fosterers during the two-year pilot period from 3 August 2026 to 31 July 2028[7].

18        Fosterers who require assistance with microchipping and sterilising community cats that they are taking in can apply for support through the TNRM programme for community cats. 

19           Interested applicants may apply for recognition as an approved fosterer via https://go.gov.sg/cat-fosterer-form from 3 August 2026. Following the two-year pilot, agencies will assess whether it meets the needs of fosterers, and gather feedback from the wider community. The findings from the pilot will inform the longer-term approach for fosterer recognition, including the limits for cat fosterers.

Outreach to the pet cat community at Cats’ Day Out

21        These updates were shared today by Minister of State for National Development and Trade and Industry Mr Alvin Tan at Cats’ Day Out, an outreach event organised by AVS at Geylang Serai Community Club. AVS is providing free microchipping services for pre-registered pet cat owners at the event on 18 and 19 July 2026. AVS will continue to work with the community to promote responsible pet ownership, and raise awareness on best practices for animal welfare. This is in line with the vision to transform Singapore into a City in Nature, for which community stewardship is a key thrust.

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